Legal & General's (L&G) general insurance operation reported a 27% leap in operating profits to £22m in the first six months of the year, up from £16m in the same period last year.
The increase in the general book came as the company announced overall operating profits slipped to £365m in the first half, down from £369m last year.
After tax and taking into account variations from longer term investment returns, the results moved to a loss of £131m compared to a profit of £193m in the six months to June 30 2001.
L&G's general insurance operations wrote premiums of £141m in the first half compared to £124m in the same period last year, an increase of nearly 14%.
Rising profits from the household book and a mix of other general insurance business contributed to the increase. Household rose to £8m in the first half of this year from £6m in the same period last year despite slightly higher bad weather claims.
L&G accounts include a category called other general insurance. This is split between motor, private medical insurance and accident, sickness and unemployment benefits in roughly equal proportions.
The category's operating profits increased to £9m in the first half of this year from £4m in the same period last year.
In June, the company announced a deal to double the general business written by Gresham Insurance, of which it owns 90%. Gresham will provide buildings and contents insurance to Barclays Bank customers from next year.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
